General manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn are currently taking stock of their roster after a statement-making offseason program. And it already looks like there are some tricky decisions upcoming for the Washington Commanders' power couple.
The Commanders turned the page on last season's catastrophe quickly, and everyone was eager to set the correct tone from the moment preparations for the new campaign began. Intensity was high, and the resolve was clear. That doesn't guarantee improvements will arrive, but it's not a bad place to start by any stretch.
Peters worked tirelessly to raise standards this offseason. There is more strength in depth across the board, and every position must be earned. Not everyone will go through, and good players will probably be released. But given how threadbare the options were last season, that is not a bad problem to have.
This urgency has been well-received by the players. They have responded well to challenges, which will only help Washington's cause. Dynamics will change, and stocks will rise or fall over the summer. But if the Commanders manage to keep everyone relatively healthy, they stand a good chance of being much more competitive next season.
And that is the endgame above all else.
It's a fluid situation, of course. But for now, here is how the Commanders' 53-man roster could look after their offseason program.
Washington Commanders' 53-man roster prediction after statement offseason program
Commanders special teams (3)
- Tress Way (P), Tyler Ott (LS), Drew Stevens (PK)
The Commanders have two of their three special teams slots locked up. Tyler Ott is barely spoken of, but that is a good thing for long-snappers. It means the veteran rarely makes mistakes, and the Commanders will be expecting that to continue in the final year of his deal.
Pro Bowl punter Tress Way is part of the fabric. He might be aging, but the popular figure is still performing at a high level. And, given that he is comfortably Washington's longest-serving player, he is also a respected leader in the locker room.
After that, it gets very interesting.
The Commanders have a genuine competition for the starting kicker job. Undrafted rookie Drew Stevens has hit the ground running, making an incredible impression in a short space of time. Veteran Jake Moody is not going to give up his spot without a fight, and Dan Quinn has already stated this will go right through the preseason until a winner is crowned.
It'll be fascinating to watch. But considering the Commanders' desperate need for a viable long-term solution, it might be worth giving Stevens a shot if he continues his eye-catching consistency when things get more intense.
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